Perhaps encouraged by Bayern's recent wobbles – the reigning champions have lost two and drawn one of their last five competitive games – and also memories of their victory at the Allianz Arena last season, Mainz began strongly and sought to put pressure on their visitors from the off. The strategy paid dividends almost immediately when Jhon Cordoba out-muscled Javi Martinez to break free and fire the opener past Manuel Neuer.

However, Bayern soon turned the game around. Robert Lewandowski equalised from Arjen Robben's pass, before the Dutchman also got his name on the scoresheet with a well-taken header at the back post. Unbowed, Mainz fought throughout and although they largely succeeded in stifling Bayern's attacking efforts, they had difficulty getting close to Neuer's goal again. As such, the visitors had a relatively trouble-free closing period, with a late direct free-kick from Lewandowski putting the seal on a ninth league victory of the season.

Man of the match

A goal and an assist on his 150th Bundesliga appearance, Robben rolled back the years at the Opel Arena to give a timely reminder of his match-winning qualities.

Talking point

In their unaccustomed role in the chasing pack, Bayern are doing all they can to keep the pressure on league leaders RB Leipzig and have now won their last two Bundesliga fixtures since losing top spot.

Match stats

Cordoba ended a nine-game run without scoring in this fixture.

Lewandowski has now scored more Bundesliga goals against Mainz (11) than any other player.

Robben and Franck Ribery, the duo known as 'Robbery', were in the starting line-up together for the first time since 2 Match 2016.